“We’re very excited to share the official 2015 release date for Star Wars: Episode VII, where it will not only anchor the popular holiday filmgoing season but also ensure our extraordinary filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational picture.”

“Super 8” and “Star Trek” director J.J. Abrams will step behind the lens for the anticipated film. Abrams also collaborated with “Return of the Jedi” scriptwriter Lawrence Kasdan to pen the script. Screenwriting duties were transferred to Kasdan in October from Michael Arndt, of “Little Miss Sunshine” fame. Arndt was announced as the original scriptwriter for the film in 2012, but Abrams confirmed the Oscar-winning screenwriter exited the project the following year.